A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samet vs. Sandakan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Sandakan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Sandakan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Sandakan?

Koh Samet

The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Sandakan, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet than you might in Sandakan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Sandakan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sandakan in the Summer?

Both Sandakan and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Sandakan. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Sandakan during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Sandakan. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sandakan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Sandakan. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Koh Samet